IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . Live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Celebrate National Women’s History Month March 2010!
A talented and delightful woman herself, Erma Bombeck was very active as a volunteer with children for cancer. She was asked to do some sort of work with kids at a summer camp for children with cancer (http://www.sunrisekids.org/) . She was very hesitant to do it because she didn’t think she could handle seeing a group of suffering kids, but it turned out to be one of the best things she ever did. From then on, she was a tireless worker in fund-raising for children with that horrific disease. Because of that, people think she died of cancer.
Because polycystic kidney disease is passed along to other generations, she wanted people to be aware of it. In her case, she didn’t know her father had it until she was diagnosed. Her father died of it. The woman had a number of terrible tragedies in her life and still managed to keep us smiling, and herself too.
When the priest gave her eulogy he said something like, " If anyone could return from the dead, I would wish for Erma. Can you imagine the stories she would tell about it? She was a wonderful person all around. The world would profit greatly with a few more like her". http://www.ookingdom.com/heavenly/over
